DCE slides for second day on cautious buying

Chinese futures dropped on limited buying interest as procurement slowed down and buyers digested high prices and supply impact in the market. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, continued to descend for the second consecutive day by 1.43% day-on-day to RMB 759.50 per tonne on Wednesday. …

China steel imports boom, exports dip, iron ore softer

Iron ore futures were a touch softer on Tuesday as investors assessed outlook for iron ore.   China imported 1.25 million mt of finished steel in May, up 27.2% month-on-month or up 30.3% year-on-year, according to customs data. During the same period, China’s finished steel exports fell by 30.4% month-on-month or 23.4% to 4.4 million …

Capesize rides along with the iron ore bull run

Capesize rates continued the bullish run over Brazilian supply concerns, while high construction activities in China support iron ore demand. As such, the Capesize 5 time charter average jumped by $438 day-on-day to $7,745 on Monday, after more European players entered the market and pushed up rates. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) followed the rally …

Oil Through the Looking Glass 9/6/20

Easing of Lockdown Bounce Prices have been rising on Brent as hopes that the global recovery post covid-19 will be swift, bringing normal levels of demand back to the battered market. Prices on front month futures have pushed above the $40 level and even Goldman Sachs has raised its oil price forecasts to a $40.40 …

Has Iron Ore Reached its Top?

Consensus The consensus in the financial sector is that iron ore prices are looking overstretched. Almost daily we hear that supply will increase and demand will decrease in the second half of the year. If this is the case, then surely with over 100 million tons of inventory the upside is not limited, it is …

Iron ore breaks $100 as Vale shuts in production capacity

Iron ore futures surged above $100 on Monday after part of Vale’s Brazilian operations were ordered to be shut down due to the Coronavirus.   Prosecutors had alleged that workers were at risk at the mine complex of Itabira in the state of Minas Gerais after 188 of them were tested positive. The latest development …

Capesize rates continue the good run on firmer iron ore demand

Capesize rates buoyed on good physical fixture with healthy shipping demand out of both basins. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average spiked sharply by $1,130 day-on-day to $7,307 on Friday, after a solid gain that lifted the curve to weeks highs. Following the Capesize rally, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) also surged further to …

Iron ore blips back but rally ‘looks stretched’

Iron ore futures in Singapore recovered from yesterday’s blip and is set to finish the week on a high.   The iron ore market has seen great volatility of late, pushing towards $100 on supply concerns following disruptions in Brazil as well as strong demand from China.   Global steel demand is expected to fall …

Capesize rates hike as economics reopen

Capesize market kept up the upward momentum with better shipping demand in both basins with higher iron ore prices. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average rose by $910 day-on-day to $6,177 on Thursday, after a strong afternoon session that pushed paper market to a day high. Likewise, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) also managed …

Iron ore futures fall as players take profits

Iron ore futures slumped on Thursday following some profit-taking activities as market participants turned cautious.   The iron ore market has seen great volatility, pushing towards $100 on supply concerns following disruptions in Brazil as well as strong demand from China.   The Dalian Exchange issued a notice earlier this week, urging member brokerages to …